UPDATED December 3, 2012

Images of Brain Injuries in Athletes

A new study of 85 people who had a history of repeated mild head traumas
found that 68 of them, nearly all of whom played sports, had evidence of
chronic traumatic encephalopathy, a degenerative and incurable disease
whose
symptoms can include memory loss, depression and dementia. The
photographs
below, from seven of the athletes in the study, illustrate the
deterioration
of the brain that can be caused by C.T.E.

A normal brain.

A brain with Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy

Images of Brain Injuries in Athletes

A new study of 85 people who had a history of repeated mild head traumas found that 68 of them, nearly all of whom played sports, had evidence of chronic traumatic encephalopathy, a degenerative and incurable disease
whose symptoms can include memory loss, depression and dementia.

The photographs below, from seven of the athletes in the study, illustrate the deterioration of the brain that can be caused by C.T.E. Read the related article »

Cookie Gilchrist

Died in 2011 at age 75 with cognitive impairment and Stage 4 C.T.E. Gilchrist thrived in the nascent A.F.L. as a bruising, record-breaking fullback for the Buffalo Bills. In 1963, he set a record when he
amassed 243 yards and 5 touchdowns in a game against the Jets.

Click to see greater detail.

The darkened area at the bottom of the image shows the disease spreading to the amygdala and surrounding temporal cortex.

Wally Hilgenberg

16 seasons: Detroit Lions (1964-67), Minnesota Vikings (1968-79)

Died Sept. 23, 2008, at age 66 with Stage 3 C.T.E. and motor neuron disease. Hilgenberg was a linebacker in the N.F.L., mostly for the Minnesota Vikings. He was one of 10 Vikings to play in all four of Minnesota’s
Super Bowl appearances in the 1970s.

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This images show widespread damage to the frontal and temporal lobes. The hippocampus, at the bottom, is especially diseased, and the disease appears to be spreading to surrounding regions.

Louis Creekmur

10 seasons: Detroit Lions (1950-59)

Died July 5, 2009, at age 82 with dementia and parkinsonism. Creekmur, a left tackle/guard for the Detroit Lions, made eight straight Pro Bowl teams from 1950 to 1957 and was inducted into the Hall of Fame
in 1996.

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There is shrinkage of the brain indicating substantial cell death.The stains on the inside of the ventricle indicate severe disease. The large darkened regions below the ventricle is the amygdala, an
area associated with emotional control.

Ollie Matson

Died Feb. 19, 2011, at age 80 with dementia and Stage 4 C.T.E. Matson, a two-time Olympic sprinting medalist, deployed his rare speed as a receiver, rusher, defender, and punt and kickoff returner. He was
inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1972.

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The overall darkness of the tissue and the obvious shrinkage indicate end-stage disease that would have produced severe cognitive problems and dementia.

Derek Boogaard

Minnesota Wild (2005-2010), Rangers (2010-2011)

Died May 13, 2011, at age 28 with Stage 2 C.T.E. Boogaard was known primarily as a fighter or enforcer. During his 255-game N.H.L. career, Boogaard had 70 fights, 3 goals, 13 assists and 589 penalty minutes.

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The small dark spots at the top of the image indicate damage to the superior frontal cortex. An injury here could explain some of Boogaard’s behavioral and emotional problems before his death.

John Grimsley

9 seasons: Houston Oilers (1984-1990), Miami Dolphins (1991-1993)

Died Feb. 6, 2008, at age 45 with Stage 3 C.T.E. Grimsley anchored a defense that helped return Houston to playoff relevance in the late 1980s. His death, which occurred while Grimsley was cleaning his gun,
was ruled an accident.

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The darkened areas suggest substantial damage to the frontal cortex, which would have contributed to problems with judgment, multitasking and planning. The dark area in the lower left region of the images
is the amygdala, an area important to emotional control.

Dave Duerson

Died February 17, 2011, at age 50 with Stage 3 C.T.E. Duerson, a two-time all-American out of Notre Dame, was a four-time Pro Bowl free safety. In 1986, he set the record for most sacks by a defensive back
(7), a record that stood for 19 years.

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The images show a concentration of damage (in the bottom/left of the images) in the hippocampus, which would have contributed to memory and learning problems.